Monogram adapter



Nov. 22, 1932 c. $MITH MONOGRAM ADAPTER Filed Aug. 1. 1931 Patented Nov. 22 1932 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE CATO SMITH, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 'I'O TOWLE MANUFAC- TUBING COMPANY, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MONOGRAM ADAPTER Application filed August 1, 1931.

This invention relates to display devices and more particularly to such devices for giving to a customer a view of a piece of silverware as it will appear when engraved with a selected monogram, initial or other indicia denoting possession.

The object of the invention is to visualize the eflect of various styles of engravings on silverware so that a customer may have the opportunity of noting whether a particular style as applied to a particular-pattern is appropriate or not, make comparisons of various suitable styles and thus, with exact knowledge of how the silverware will appear after having been engraved, make a contented choice of the style of engraving to be ordered.

To the accomplishment of this object the invention comprises a monogram adapter having the novel features first described in detail hereinafter and then particularly pointed out in their true scope in the appended claims.

The best simple form of the invention at present known is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which: I

Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of the monogram adapter;

Fig. 2 is a view, in plan, showing the monogram adapter applied to the handle of a piece of flatware in position for displaying the monogram or initial which it bears against the appropriate portion of thehandle for receiving the engraving;

Fig. 3 is a view, in cross-section, on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view, in side elevation, of the monogram adapter with the handle of a piece of flatware therewithin; and

Fig. 5 is a view, in plan, of what may be e the reverse side of the adapter shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing the monogram adapter comprises two appropriately dimensioned sheets of transparent material secured together at two opposite sides and left unsecured at two other opposite sides to permit the insertion between the sheets of the handle of a piece of flatware. To provide for Serial No. 554,591.

ready insertion between the two sheets of handles of different shapes and thicknesses, for example the thick handles of knives or the thinner handles of spoons,'one or both of the unsecured sides are so formed as to permanently present an open mouth. this end a sheet 10 is cut to the desired dimensions, conveniently about 1 X 2 inches, and the shorter dimension is given two pairs of marginal bends which provide two sloping panels 12 and produce a salient central panel 1 1 which in practice may be about 1 inch in width. Two such sheets may then be placed together with their salient central panels 1.4 opposed and each facing outward and with their flat margins 16 in contact as shown in Fig. 1. The two sheets may be secured together in any convenient manner as by rivets 18 through the contacting margins 16. The two sheets forming the front and back of the monogram adapter as illustrated are thus permanently maintained in spaced relation throughout their central portions. The degree of the opening between the two sheets is determined by the obliquity of the opposed sloping panels 12 at each side. The two opposed sheets form, in effect, an envelope having closed sides but provided with open mouths at both top and bottom. It is not essential that both of the marginally se- To gain cured sheets be shaped substantially as just described so as to provide an open mouth at either end but this construction is believed to be the most convenient for the introduction therebetween of the handle of a spoon or other piece of flatware for the purpose now to be described. In another aspect of the invention, therefore, the two sheets may form a flexible band within which an article may be inserted through the unsecured edges.

Bearing in mind the use to which the monogram adapter is to be put the sheets 10 should be formed of transparent material. Clear celluloid has been found to meet the requirements but any other transparent material, or material not greatly interfering with the visibility of the underlying flatware may be used, for example mica, gelatine, parchment or paper, manufactured plastic compounds such as bakelite, or even glass. A

flexible material, such as celluloid, has the advantage of clinging to the handle of the piece of flatware, and will tend to shape itself smoothly about a curved surface which is a further advantage.

An initial or monogram 20 is applied so as to be borne by one or both sheets in any suitable manner as by printing in ink or by etching or in any other convenient way. Preferably the initial or monogram will be in black. An initial or monogram in a different style of lettering may be applied to each of the two sheets of which the monogram adapter is formed or they may be different letters of the same style. In practice the salesman, or the clerk at the store at which the silverware is sold, will have several of the adapters for visualizing to the customer a number of different styles of lettering and these will be supplemented by sheets displaying all the letters of each style. On inserting the handle of a spoon, for example, within the monogram adapter, as illustrated by Fig. 2, and adjusting the adapter to place the initial or monogram 20 which it bears over the area which is to be engraved, an exact representation will be had of the handle when. so engraved. The piece of flatware may be held in any position of view since the adapter inherently retains its position. If the handle is of a highly ornamental pattern requiring engraving on its back, the same representation can be had by using the adapter. With lettering on both sides of the adapter a mere twist of the hand reveals either the front or the back of the handle as it will appear when engraved and permits comparison. Furthermore the monogram adapter, as illustrated, is reversible so that when so formed as to provide two differing initials or monograms each may be. shown as applied to either the front or the back of the handle.

The scope of the invention having been indicated and its preferred form having been specifically described, what is claimed as new, 1s:

1. A monogram adapted comprising two sheets of transparent material each having a central salient panel extending across the material from one edge to the other, at least one of said sheets bearing an initial or monogram and said sheets being placed together with their salient panels opposed and facing outward thereby presenting permanently open mouths at two opposite edges, and means for securing the sheets together in such relation.

2. A monogram adapted comprising a sheet of transparent material formed with two opposite planate margins, and a portion within said margins shaped to provide a central salient panel extending from edge to edge parallel with said margins, said central panel bearing an initial or monogram, and a second sheet secured to said paneled sheet at the recessed side thereof forming a backing contacting said margins but in spaced relation to said panel.

3. A monogram adapter according to claim 2 in which the second sheet is a duplicate in shape of the paneled sheet and the two are secured with their central salient panels facing outward.

A. An envelope formed of two superposed sheets of transparent material secured at two opposite margins and unsecured at two other opposite margins, permitting insertion of the handle of a piece of flatware or the like between the sheets, at least one of said sheets having an initial or monogram applied thereto.

5. A11 article of manufacture consisting of two sheets secured together and shaped to form a pocket having an open mouth, at least i one of said sheets being transparent and bearing an initial or monogram for display upon an article to be inserted between the two sheets.

6. A monogram adapted for flatware having a transparent face bearing an initial or monogram and a back secured to said face at opposite edges thereof, said face and back being separable between their fastenings to permit insertion of the handle of a piece of flatware in position to afford a view of said handle as though engraved with said initial or monogram, and said face being inherently flexible to shape it more or less to the contour of the underlying handle.

7 A monogram adapter comprising twosheets of transparent celluloid each bearing an opaque initial or monogram, said sheets being secured at two opposite sides but open at the other two sides. 1

8. A display device for presenting selected indicia as though engraved upon silverware comprising two superposed sheets at least one of which is formed of transparent material and has one or more opaque indicia displayed thereon, said sheets being secured together at two opposite margins and left unsecured at two other opposite margins permitting insertion of the portion of said silverware to be engraved between the sheets and beneath said indicia on said transparent sheet.

9. A display device comprising two sheets secured together marginally and separable between the margins to permit insertion therebetween of the handle of a piece of table flatware, at least one of said sheets being transparent and bearing opaque indicia that will cause the handle when placed therebeneath to appear as though marked with said indicia.

10. A display device for simulating engraving on table flatware comprising a backlng sheet and a facing sheet attached to said backing by two opposite edges, only, permitting the central unsecured portion to lift away from the backing so as to receive the handle of a piece of said flatware between said facing and backing, said facing being transparent and having applied thereto an opaque initial or monogram beneath which the area of the handle to be engraved is held.

11. An article of manufacture for temporarily displaying the image of a future engraving upon an article of silverware comprising a transparent sheet to be applied to a face of the silverware and bearing a representation of the lettering to be engraved on said face, and means associated with said sheet for retaining it on the silverware while being handled with the lettering displayed upon the portion thereof which is to receive the engraving.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CATO SLHTH. 

